Pyroluria, or malvaria (from the term mauve factor), is the metabolic condition when a person has too many pyrroles in the urine. It is relatively common, but not widely known despite having been discovered several decades ago.
The pyrroles bind to vitamin B6 and thence to zinc. Then it is eliminated with the urine, potentially causing a deficiency of vitamin B6 and zinc. Pyrolurics may also become deficient in arachidonic acid. These deficiencies can cause mental and physical problems. Not all people with pyroluria develop deficiencies, as pyroluria manifests itself at different strengths in different individuals, and a pyroluric with a diet containing enough B6 and zinc to offset low-level pyrolurism may remain symptomless.
Pyroluria is often found in people with ADHD, schizophrenia, autism, alcoholism, bipolar disorder and depression. The ability for an individual to suffer from pyroluria is believed to have a high degree of genetic origin, with the condition known to run in families. Severity usually waxes and wanes with the level of stress being experienced by the sufferer. Some individuals with pyroluric tendences may come within the normal range in their test results at times when their pyrolurism has ebbed.
Detection of pyroluria is performed with a test for the quantities of a type of pyrrole present in urine. If present, the condition is usually then treated by supplementing appropriate levels of vitamin B6, zinc, manganese and Evening Primrose Oil. Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E may also be supplemented as oxidative stresses are believed to influence the severity of the condition. In addition, vitamin B3 may be considered as the synthesis of niacin (vitamin B3) from the amino acid tryptophan is dependent upon the availability of vitamin B6, meaning a deficiency in B3 can be present.
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